Ep 7. Pumpkins, Sweets and Treats

Valerie's Home Cooking season 4 episode 7 is called "Pumpkins, Sweets and Treats." In this episode, host Valerie Bertinelli will be demonstrating how to make a variety of autumn-inspired treats using pumpkin, one of the season's signature ingredients.

Valerie starts off by making her Pumpkin and Ginger Soup, which combines pureed pumpkin with warm spices like cumin and ginger. She also adds a dollop of tangy crème fraiche to balance out the sweetness of the pumpkin.

Next up, Valerie shows viewers how to make a classic Pumpkin Pie from scratch. She starts with a homemade pie crust made with butter and flour, then creates the filling using canned pumpkin puree and a blend of spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. She also shares her tips for achieving the perfect texture and avoiding cracks in the pie as it bakes.

For those who prefer a non-traditional twist on pumpkin desserts, Valerie also demonstrates how to make her Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Bars. These bars feature a creamy pumpkin cheesecake filling layered on top of a buttery graham cracker crust, then topped off with a crunchy oat and brown sugar streusel topping.

Valerie takes a break from pumpkin recipes to whip up her version of a classic Halloween treat: Candy Apples. Using fresh, crisp apples and a homemade hard candy coating, Valerie shows how easy it is to make these festive treats at home.

Finally, Valerie rounds out the episode with a recipe for her Easy Caramel Sauce. This simple sauce is perfect for drizzling over ice cream, apple slices, or even a slice of that delicious pumpkin pie made earlier in the episode.

Throughout the episode, Valerie shares her tips and techniques for working with pumpkin and creating delicious autumn-inspired dishes that are sure to impress friends and family. With her warm and approachable demeanor, viewers will feel like they're right in Valerie's kitchen, learning and cooking alongside her.